Who should get the Louth franchise?

**Bald Student** · 26/01/2006, 1:01 PM

I think that's the problem Cosmo. The club chairmen are being asked to vote on something without knowing what it is they're voting for.

**forza** · 26/01/2006, 1:05 PM

Dundalk just back from the hospital there very efficent so they go my vote

**pineapple stu** · 26/01/2006, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Thats what I was thinking - so its all hearsay as nobody knows what the story will be

But that's just a technicality - it doesn't alter the fact that the FAI are going to hand pick the clubs for the Premier based on non-sporting criteria. So the question remains - which one should you choose, given that the other will die?

**NY Hoop** · 26/01/2006, 1:13 PM

For the record Dundalk were never leading Celtic in that EC tie. They had lost away 3-2 and the game in Oriel finished scoreless although apparently Dundalk missed a sitter.

Anyway all this talk of franchises is b0llox. While we all acknowledge that change is needed this is just a proposal. Just because it's the indo doesnt mean its fact. Maybe the FAI are leaking bits and pieces to gauge the public view. Who knows?

Have the clubs been contacted OFFICIALLY on any of this yet?

KOH

**BohDiddley** · 26/01/2006, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

Maybe the FAI are leaking bits and pieces to gauge the public view.

You can bet your stadium on it. This is one great big kite. However, the public view that they want to gauge is not to be found here. They will be happy with the kind of analysis, or lack of it, shown so far by media covering Genesis and the need for (yawn) radical change in EL.

**pineapple stu** · 26/01/2006, 1:32 PM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

For the record Dundalk were never leading Celtic in that EC tie. They had lost away 3-2 and the game in Oriel finished scoreless although apparently Dundalk missed a sitter.

Was it not 2-2 in Scotland for a while?

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

Have the clubs been contacted OFFICIALLY on any of this yet?

Yes, as far as I know. Also, seeing as they're voting on it in two days' time, they'd want to have been told by now.

**Dodge** · 26/01/2006, 1:45 PM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

Have the clubs been contacted OFFICIALLY on any of this yet?

yep...

**Breifne** · 26/01/2006, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Yes, as far as I know. Also, seeing as they're voting on it in two days' time, they'd want to have been told by now.

Clubs discussed this at a meeting over last weekend, there was so much controversy that the meeting was adjourned to before the AGM in limerick on Saturday.

Basically the teams that will be part of this league are as follows

Cork City
Derry City
Waterford United (Delaney hardly forgets his roots)
Galway United (Ditto John Byrne - Manager of the current eL)
Limerick (Population)
Shels (recent history)
Rovers (tradition)
One of Dundalk & Drogheda
Sligo Rovers
Longford

If there are two extra spots, probably Athlone and Kilkenny based on location and local population.

Cobh, Dublin City, UCD, Bray, Finn Harps (all ranked in the top 13 last season) don't have a realistic chance of being included, no matter where they finish this season. They should just take over the existing league, and promote it properly, a decent website, with supporting media (radio, print and TV ads). Why don't they run their own Soccer Show each week. It would be so worth it to produce a highlights package of each game, and then just let TV3, Setanta or RTE show it each week.

Make it as easy for the Television station as possible. Why can't we have a Sunday evening show around 7/8 for even half an hour, with one live game each Friday. It's not rocket science, and watch the attendances, sponsorship and profile of the league grow exponentially.

**Bald Student** · 26/01/2006, 1:50 PM

Well at least the first division will still be competative with half the current premier stuck in it.

**Student Mullet** · 26/01/2006, 1:52 PM

Originally Posted by Breifne

One of Dundalk & Drogheda

So, back to the original question. I vote Dundalk.

**soccerc** · 26/01/2006, 1:54 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

they're voting on it in two days' time, they'd want to have been told by now.

Correct, but the kernel of the problem is they don't know what they are voting for.

There is to be a management committee meeting before the AGM to decide if they will vote in favour of the proposal.

The problem is the proposal has not being fully defined or discussed.

Hearing that some clubs have been lobbied/briefed/nobbled in the past few days while others have not had any contact whatsoever.

**Rochey** · 26/01/2006, 4:31 PM

if it did come down to Drogheda and Dundalk I dont think you could turf either out of the league if they meet the criteria set down by the eircom league. And that criteria must be met by all teams in the league therefore if Drogheda got their new stadium then they could not be turfed out. Likewise with Dundalk if they get their financial troubles sorted they too would not be able to be turfed out on off the field criteria. It would then come down to points.

**Rochey** · 26/01/2006, 4:32 PM

points and league position and all that. jsut to clarify

**A face** · 26/01/2006, 5:13 PM

Is Drogs/Dundalk merger definitely a non-runner ??

**Cosmo** · 26/01/2006, 5:32 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Is Drogs/Dundalk merger definitely a non-runner ??

What a stupid suggestion

.

Yeah - not even a .000000000000001% chance of it happening.

I'd rather watch my 8 year old cousin play football in the park than give my money to a ludricous suggestion like that - most supporters from both clubs would walk away from Eircom League football altogether than follow that - so dont even go there

**Poor Student** · 26/01/2006, 5:37 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Is Drogs/Dundalk merger definitely a non-runner ??

A Face as if enough can of worms haven't been opened these last few days.

**iceman** · 26/01/2006, 6:35 PM

Just for the record , John Delaney gave the "thumbs up" when he visited the site of Drogs new stadium on Friday last.

**A face** · 26/01/2006, 7:19 PM

Originally Posted by Cosmo

What a stupid suggestion

Yeah - not even a .000000000000001% chance of it happening.

I'd rather watch my 8 year old cousin play football in the park than give my money to a ludricous suggestion like that - most supporters from both clubs would walk away from Eircom League football altogether than follow that - so dont even go there

Originally Posted by Poor Student

A Face as if enough can of worms haven't been opened these last few days.

Hook ..... line ...... sinker !!

Cosmo .... only feicin' about fella !!

**sullanefc** · 26/01/2006, 7:37 PM

Originally Posted by Student Mullet

So, back to the original question. I vote Dundalk.

Is it just me or does it seem like UCD fans are really worried about this and are trying to "scare" other fans into their viewpoint.

Just because UCD are a club with no fans and no future, doesn't mean that both Drogheda AND Dundalk can't BOTH compete in this new "Super League" or whatever you want to call it. BOTH Drogs AND Dundalk have what only UCD and Dublin City can only dream about - more than 10 fans.

UCD propaganda - i've seen it all now

**anto eile** · 26/01/2006, 8:00 PM

Originally Posted by Passive

Why are people talking about franchises? My understanding of this proposal is that it is simply a mechanism to get rid of tax cheats and one man clubs. No one has mentioned there only being one franchise for Louth, two for Dublin etc. If Dundalk and Drogheda both have their houses in order they will both be eligible to get into the league.

correct.
franchise is an ugly word,no room for such language in football.
tax cheats-beware ollie